Rand Paul to go to Canada for surgery

So much irony. FTR, universal healthcare in Canada doesn't extend to visitors.

Rand Paul Travels To Canada For Irony Bypass Surgery

(satire alert)

I believe the hospital he's using is a private one, so anyone who has the money can pay and receive care there . . . still not sure why we allow that, but that's a political discussion for another day and place . . .

because he literally earns his living denigrating the very system that he is now going to benefit from.

There it is in a nut shell.

From CBC.ca.

Paul is scheduled for surgery at Shouldice Hospital, which touts itself as a world leader in "non-mesh hernia repair."

"This is a private, world-renowned hospital separate from any system and people come from around the world to pay cash for their services," Paul spokesperson Kelsey Cooper said in an email Monday.



In choosing Shouldice, Paul will receive care in a country that offers its citizens a publicly funded, universal health-care system that runs counter to Paul's approach to American health-care policy.



Shouldice was one of a handful of private hospitals grandfathered under the health-care system framework when the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) was introduced in the early 1970s. Canadians who undergo treatment at the clinic can receive coverage depending on their provincial health-care plan.

The hernia procedure is estimated to cost $5,000 to $8,000 US, the court document said.

But he's getting care from a private hospital and he's paying for it. Not from the system that is governmental.

And how is this different from Canadians who love the universal system they have seeking treatment at Mayo (or any other US speciality facility)?

It’s too bad this is private surgery because I would love to see him in a quad room!

I was curious as well and did a quick search for surgeons in the US who also do this type of repair.  I found a couple, both whom trained at that hospital.  Only one has any meaningful experience - but with less than 700 surgeries of that type, still no where near the experience he'll find there.  I'm by no means claiming an exhaustive search, but I think it would be hard to find any surgeon who would have the same level as experience as this hospital has been the pioneer for this type of surgery for 60 years.  As it is also has a significantly longer hospital stay (5 days versus a typical outpatient) AND is only conducted with patients at a healthy weight - it's just not going to be found at any local surgery center.  

We have commercials in Atlanta by a law trolling for hernia mesh patients. I guess one type mesh caused an issue in some patients.

Do you think Rand will now advocate for better access to quality healthcare (since he obviously finds it to not be on par) for the citizens of his state, whom he is supposed to represent?

Where was he when my husband had hernia surgery in Bowling Green, KY a few years ago? Rand lived there at the time and still does. I have never heard Rand say anything along the lines of we all need better, so eff him and his effing trip to Canada for healthcare.

A close friend has had to have 3 additional surgeries due to the mesh he received. So I can see why someone who could pay out of pocket for the best would do so.

That is like anyone here needing specialty care looking for the best. I have been doing so with both kids. Hell I have a friend who travels to Boston every 6 weeks for OmeGaven a special TPN that you can only get at the hospital. We live in California. It has kept her kid alive